Hate crimes legislation that would expand protections for those attacked because of sexual orientation is poised to become law after several years of failed efforts to push the proposal past the Senate.

Senators, in a 63-28 vote, approved attaching the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act as an amendment to the must-pass defense appropriations bill over objections from Republicans, who argued that the legislation should be considered as a stand-alone bill.

The defense bill still has to come before a Senate vote and a House-Senate conference, but Republicans concede that there is little they can do to stop the legislation from moving forward.

“There are more Democrats in conference than Republicans,” said Don Stewart, a spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

“Clearly, there are a few more hurdles before the amendment reaches the president’s desk, but its prospects for becoming law this year are very good,” said Allison Herwitt, legislative director for the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that is backing the legislation.